Vehicle bursts into flames along I-15

Written by Kimberly Scott
March 21, 2016

WASHINGTON COUNTY — Flames engulfed a vehicle early Monday morning that had been traveling on southbound Interstate 15 before going up in flames near milepost 35, about one mile south of the Black Ridge Exit.

Around 1:05 a.m., a woman called the St. George Communications Center to report smoke coming from the engine compartment of her Saturn, Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Taj Eldredge said.

Flames engulfed a vehicle along southbound Interstate 15 milepost 35, Washington County, Utah, March 21, 2016 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
Flames engulfed a vehicle along southbound Interstate 15 milepost 35, Washington County, Utah, March 21, 2016 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News

“There was a ‘pop’ we heard,” the woman said at the scene, “and we pulled over.”

After pulling over to the side of the highway, she and two other women safely evacuated the vehicle as they noticed smoke coming from the front of the car.

Within five to 10 minutes, the woman said, flames had burst through the smoke.

By 1:25 a.m., the vehicle was reportedly fully engulfed in flames.

Fire crews from the Leeds and Hurricane fire departments responded to the scene and successfully knocked out the blaze.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. What was left of the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Both southbound I-15 travel lanes were shut down for some time as emergency crews tended to the scene, Eldredge said. By 1:45 a.m., the left-hand lane of travel was reopened.

In addition to fire units, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol and Utah Department of Transportation responded to the scene.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberly Scott is a lifetime resident of Southern Utah. In 2013, Kimberly joined St. George News as a vital member of its editing, reporting and administrative team. She is passionate about engaging communities through writing and is dedicated to providing complete and accurate coverage of both anticipated and breaking news.

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